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Skiing powder can be an eye opening experience for skiers who are used to hard packed, icy, or groomed trails. If you're planning a big ski trip, or looking to get a better idea of how to ski powder, this guide is for you.

How to Ski Powder

How to Ski Powder Step 1: Stay Relaxed

The immediate reaction of most skiers and snowboarding upon watching their tips dive under the snow is to tense up. Without relaxed legs, it's going to be a very jarring ride down as you'll encounter unseen bumps and varied terrain buried under the snow.

How to Ski Powder Step 2: Keep your weight centered over both skis

Avoid leaning back (if you find yourself consistently in the back seat on powder days it's probably time for a wider set of skis) and try to distribute weight more evenly between your downhill and uphill skis. In powder, you can initiate turns by simply 'tipping' the ski - anything more and you'll be sent tumbling over your downhill ski.

How to Ski Powder Step 3: Start small

Start slow, and with small turns. It's going to feel awkward at first, so better to try tackling low consequence terrain before heading up the bootpack.

How to Ski Powder Step 4: Keep everything pointing (and looking) in the direction you want to go

Start out by aiming for exaggerated, round turns all the way down. It will feel unnatural, but these wider turns enable you to maintain control through the powder.

How to Ski Powder Step 5: Plan ahead

You'll notice pretty quickly that skiing powder is an unforgiving endeavor. You'll need to start planning two or three turns ahead, as last minute adjustments are often out of the question. Map our your route before you drop, and try to stick to it as closely as possible.

How to Ski Powder Step 6: Pedal to metal

Speed is your friend in the powder. Your skis will naturally rise to the surface as you gain speed, and as a result you'll have more control at faster speeds. It can take some getting used to, but don't be afraid to open up the throttle.